Cost of Roof Repair Increasing, Schedule Now

A roof is low maintenance compared to lawn care and significant appliance upkeep. But too many homeowners neglect regular roof repair until they need a whole roof replacement.

Roof replacement makes up over 90% of the roofing industry’s work. Older buildings are especially vulnerable because some roofs last only 20-30 years.

If you want to get the most from your roof’s lifespan, now is the time to schedule home repair and roofing. Like so many other materials goods, roofing costs are increasing, and a roof repair budget that’s doable today might be a tight squeeze tomorrow.

Our essential guide to roof repair has all the information you need to keep your roof in tip-top shape and the reasons why you shouldn’t delay roof repair service any longer. Keep reading to learn more. 

Regular Roof Repair

Regular roof repair maintenance fixes minor issues before they become significant issues. Common problems include the following:

• Water damage
• Dry rot
• Fixture issues (vents, chimneys)
• Fashing issues
• Skylight leaks and damage
• Wind, ice, and storm damage
• Broken or missing shingles
• Inadequate water run-off
• Roof sagging
• Leaky roof
• Damaged underlayment
• Mold or algae patches

If neglected too long, these problems can cause major structural damage. For example, your roof can develop large holes or become a collapse hazard. It can also damage your home’s interior.

If the roof damage is too severe, you’ll need a roof replacement. The cost of replacing roofs is much higher than routine roof repairs.

If you want to sell your home, a buyer can negotiate a lower price based on estimated home repair and roofing issues. For example, a good condition roof can add over $15,000 in home value. And a roof remodel gives homeowners a 109% return on investment (ROI).

Roof Replacement

A roof won’t last forever, even with the best upkeep. An average roof lifespan can be anywhere between 15 to 50 years, according to Roofing Calculator.

Some common roof types and their average lifespan are as follows:

• Wooden shingles- 30 years
• 3-tab asphalt shingles- 15-20 years
• Architectural shingles- 20-30 years
• Premium shingles- 25-40 years
• Stand seam metal- 50 years
• Ribbed metal panels- 25-50 years
• Stone-coated steel tiles- 30-50 years
•  

Some specialty roofs can last even longer:

• Clay tiles- 50-100 years
• Slate tiles- 75-200 years

But even hardy clay and slate roofs need regular maintenance to last so long. Seasonal weather, fungus invasions, and neglect can damage even the strongest roof.

And although some tiles last very long, roof fixtures like fashing, underlayment, and gutters will still need regular replacing as they corrode or get damaged.

Average Costs of Roof Repair and Replacement

Pricing roof repair or roof replacement depends on many variables, so you’ll only get a rough estimate until a roofing contractor evaluates it. Costs can depend on the following:

• Roof material type
• Roof size and pitch
• The repair issue
• Local area prices
• Climate
• Labor rates
• Supply costs
• City and state building codes

According to HomeAdvisor’s data, the national average is $963 for roof repair service and $8,429 for roof replacement.

A galvanized steel roof averages $3,000 for 17 squares, while a copper roof averages $25,000. And the average roof replacement cost is $8,000-$16,500 in Florida, but only $4,500-$9,500 in Maryland.

More minor roof repairs are only $150-400 dollars. Some homeowners put off repairing small issues like a broken or missing shingle until there are more of them, thinking it will save them money on repair costs.

But these minor issues can escalate quickly, especially if there’s extreme weather involved.

Instead of saving $45-$75 on an extra hour of labor, they end up with high-end repairs that can cost $7,000. Or they pay even more than that for roof replacement.

How These Costs Are Rising

The supply and demand chain has affected roofing prices. For example, the demand for roof repair service has gone up, so the cost of roofing materials has gone up too.

There’s also the Coronavirus premium, which caused material shortages during shutdowns and layoffs. The natural disasters in California and Louisiana added their own shortage effects to materials and labor.

HomeAdvisor estimates the overall increase for roof repair has been 5%-10% since 2020. This might not be so bad for low-end roof repairs, but it can add hundreds more to significant work or a roof replacement.

The material costs are still going up, so the average cost of replacing roofs will be exponentially more significant.

If the average roof replacement cost is $8,429, a 10% increase equals a new average of $9,271. That’s over 800 dollars you could save scheduling home repair and roofing before the uptick.

Labor shortages also mean delays in roof repair service. If you need urgent home repair and roofing work, a delay of 30-90 days can cause additional damages and stress. It’s better to schedule for small work before it becomes urgent work.

Finding Professional Roofers

Avoid costly mistakes to your roof repair budget by picking a quality roofing company. A sloppy roof repair service can be worse than no roof repair at all.

Local, family-owned roofing companies are usually more accessible than a national roofing chain. Some chains outsource their roof repair services to independent contractors, so you may pick a good company but get bad contractor work.

Along with more personalized service for your home, local companies are generally cheaper. They also have more specialized knowledge and experience of the area’s building standards, procedures, and codes.

Methods to evaluate a roofing company include:

• Checking their licensing and qualifications
• Checking their online reviews and ratings
• Looking up their social media
• Learning their reputation in the area
• Asking for referrals
• Learning how long they’ve been in business

A reputable and reliable roofing company gives you professional service and a written estimate. They won’t try to strong-arm you into contracts or artificially inflate the costs after you’ve signed with them.

Choose an established and experienced company over lowball offers from dodgy competitors. With the new roofing demand, predatory or inexperienced contractors may take advantage of the new market demands and stressed homeowners. So be careful!

Save on Roof Repair Today So You Don’t Pay More Tomorrow

With rising roof costs, you don’t want to delay scheduling your roof repair. And you don’t want to put off scheduling a roof replacement.

Contact us if you’re searching for a reputable roofing company with over 60 years of experience! We’re happy to bring you the best value for the highest quality home repair and roofing work.